14.3.15

Health and Lifestyle: Lets Talk about that Back Pain

Quite a number of people experience back pain at one point or the other. For some it might be an occassional thing perhaps due to a specific reason which they have been unable to identify but for some other people Back pain is an issue that continues to linger on with its effects impacting on the quality of their lifestyle and overall well being.

Research suggests that an estimated number of adults in the UK will experience back pain during their life time with attendant widespread social effects which include isolation,withdrawal and damaged relationships. Lower back pain has been identified as  the cause of disability worldwide and has been estimated to cost the UK economy over £6 billion. However, 90% of back pain sufferers stop consultation after just 3 months despite 3 in 4 people still suffering pain and disability one year later.
These findings suggest millions of back pain sufferers feel limited help is available and continue to suffer in silence.

Most people's low back pain is often described as ''non specific''. A situation that occurs when the pain does not arise from any medical condition such as,a slipped disc,fracture or even  a known disease but rather from the structures of the back and quite a handful of common lifestyle practices have been known to aggravate the problem.

I was reading a book titled ''Lifestyle change for Relief. At last'' by Dr Steven Geanopulos and I found it very helpful in terms of understanding back pain, it also contains detailed information on how to keep back pain at bay by caring for the spine and general health.
Lifestyle change for Relief. At last by Dr Geanopulos
Lifestyle change for Relief. At last.
By Dr Geanopulos

The book covers key areas of interests relating to the spine, back pain and its management. These include a clear assessment of what chronic back pain means to each person, identifying causes of the chronic back pain,establishing the link between individual lifestyle and chronic pain,the role of nutrition/diet and of course a practical action plan to having a pain-free living.
What does Chronic Pain mean to you? Lifestyle Change for Relief. At Last
What does Chronic Pain mean to you?
Lifestyle Change for Relief. At Last

What are the underlying causes of Chronic Pain Lifestyle Change for Relief . At Last
What are the underlying causes of Chronic Pain
Lifestyle Change for Relief . At Last

Lifestyle Choice and Chronic Pain Lifestyle Change for Relief. At Last
Health and Lifestyle Choices and Chronic Pain
Lifestyle Change for Relief. At Last

Role of Nutrition Lifestyle Change for Relief. At Last
Role of Nutrition
Lifestyle Change for Relief. At Last
Meditation does help improve health and lifestyle Lifestyle Change for Relief. At Last
Meditation does help improve health and lifestyle
Lifestyle Change for Relief. At Last

 The book has  opened my eyes to a lot of things I would otherwise not have paid extra attention to. For instance, I have been able to draw up an activity plan for myself to cover areas of nutrition,physical activity and of course meditation.

Action Plan! Planning is key Lifestyle Change for Relief. At Last
Action Plan! Planning is key
Lifestyle Change for Relief. At Last

As a mum and in full time work it might not be uncommon to hear me say I am exhausted leaving me no time to engage in other things really.However, I am prepared to make an effort to alter my lifestyle for healthier results as I now know that I do not really need to spend hours to achieve that.I will aim to incorporate 10 mins of exercise 3 days a week into my weekly schedule.Because of the kids I keep an excellent healthy eating plan already but I will also aim to make water my preferred go to beverage and cut back on the fizzies
(so help me God) and  I look forward to experimenting with meditation. Of course this will have to happen at a time when the kids are no where in sight, perhaps early in the morning before they get up from bed or when they are taking their afternoon nap or the whole purpose of meditating will be defeated!

 I suggest you read the expert tips and advice listed below on how best to manage the your back below. It  is very informative and helpful and  will come in handy for the management of back pain.

1-  De-Stress 
To be honest, even I need to be told and constantly reminded about this.
Prolonged stress can worsen pain due to the release of the hormone Cortisol and an increase in muscle tension. If you begin to sense and can establish you are mentally stressed ,  Addressing the state of mind by meditation or simply, quiet periods of reflection can help. Engaging in activites such as Yoga and Pilates which have been shown to help with stress and anxiety are also positive steps to take.

2- Watch your Weight 
Again, this is also something I also need to talk to myself about. I mean these are also very helpful tips that can be imbibed not just to help alleviate back pain for people that experience it but also for an optimal healthy lifestyle.
Maintaining a healthy life style is key.Ongoing poor nutritional choices and carrying excess weight can negatively impact the health on the long term and as such contribute to increased inflammation and lower back pain. Choosing to go for nutritious and well balanced diet, eating small healthy meals and snacks on a regular basis can mean you are less likely to let extreme hunger dictate  what you eat thus helping to avoid high calories and sugar options  which lead to weight gain.

3-Keep Moving
This is probably the most challenging of all. I mean when the opportunity arises who does not want to remain on the couch all day? Being a couch potato is probably the most relaxing thing ever and as a mum when I do get the opportunity to just raise my feet, I am there for as the longest time possible, sometimes as long as 5 minutes!

 Lack of regular movement can contribute to issues with the spine and degeneration of  spinal joints. So physical activity in the form of regular exercise is vital to care for the back.Controlled movement of the spine can also help those suffering from long term non specific lower back pain. A new study suggests that a device called KYROBAK which delivers a unique combination of continuous passive motion (CPM) and Oscillation Therapy(OT) significantly reduced pain scores in long term non specific lower back pain sufferers after just 10 minutes of use each day for 3 weeks.
-Source Spink Health/Dr Geanopulos


Alright then, off to start my first 10 mins of exercise. Stay Healthy!




***Copy of Lifestyle Change for Relief. At Last. by Dr Steven Geanopulos ,additional tips and advice received from Spink Health along with additional input from myself have been used to develop and write this post***

   


9.3.15

Mother's Day Cards from Made with Love Designs. (Exclusive offer 30% Discount Code)

I know this is so like last minute but its better late than never and I simply would not be pleased with myself if I did not share this with you. I was browsing online for Unique Mother's day cards when I came across this exclusive hand made online greeting cards boutique: https://www.madewithlovedesigns.co.uk/

MadewithLoveDesigns is filled with the most beautiful and bespoke set of greeting cards I have ever seen.  Lovingly crafted,it is definitely intended to thrill the recipient with a sprinkling of the wow factor.



Welcome to Made With Love - Personalised handmade Greetings Cards, Wedding Stationery & beautiful Gifts & Homewares
Made with Love Designs

MadeWithLoveDesigns make personalised handmade luxury greeting cards for those special occassions. All of their greetings cards can be personalised with your loved ones name on the fronts and further personalised with an inside printed message if you wish. So you can express yourself,feelings and emotions with all the words that make it just as personal as you want.
Cards are available in colours to make a truly unique and personal card.
Most of their greetings cards are available with fully personalised wordings, offering personalised text printed on the front of cards over a number of lines and also your wordings printed inside the cards too!
Note: Character limits apply to personalised wording depending on each greetings card design.
                                                                                                             -Made with Love Designs


Have a look at some of their Mother's Day Collection and grab yourself a discount with the discount code below:

MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card

MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card
MadewithLoveDesigns: Mother's day Card



Exclusive to EllaandIrene's blog!

Head up to https://www.madewithlovedesigns.co.uk/ to pick up one of their Mother's Day greeting cards  using discount code ELLAANDIRENE30 
Code expires on Friday 13th March.
Saturday delivery available so orders can still be placed up until Midday on the 13th for Mothers Day delivery.


Simply shop as normal and then add the code to the shopping basket to receive discount.


Peace and Love X

**Review**
Unless otherwise stated,views and opinion expressed are entirely mine.







7.3.15

Sweets,Sweets and More Sweets! : Delicious Treats from Scoff Club!

Its almost impossible for me to say no to ''sweeties'' as my four year old would say. I mean one minute I am making resolutions but fraction of a second later  I am happily treating away. So you can imagine how pleased I was to return home (after my first day back to work from maternity leave) to meet a box of sweets waiting for me from Scoff Club!
 surprise! surprise!!
coff Club: Favourite Retro and Classic Sweets!
Scoff Club: Favourite Retro and Classic Sweets!

To be honest, I was not expecting to meet a very good sized box generously packed full of sweet treats so I was genuinely impressed and pleased.
Scoff Club :What a Treat!
Scoff Club :What a Treat!

Unwrapping my sweet treat :Scoff Club
Unwrapping my sweet treat :Scoff Box

For what its worth,I think the Scoff Club box would be great as a surprise present/treat and is bound to put a smile on the recipient's face. I mean its just like giving someone a box of chocolates,a  box of sweets is just as great as a box of chocolates! its  just as well if you wish to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings too, trust me this is one variety box you do not want to miss!

Anyways, my fabulous retro and classic sweet box contained some of my favourites like Swizzel's Rainbow drops(Hmm....Yum!)  and also the following :
-Refreshers
-Sherbet Fountains
-Pic' n' mix
-Drumstick,Vimto and Chupa Chups Lollies
-Double Dip
-Fun Gums etc

Yum Yum,!Sweets and More Sweets!
Yum Yum, Sweets and More Sweets!

Variety of Sweets from Scoff Club
Variety of Sweets from Scoff Club


Scoff Club Sweets
Scoff Club Sweets


Scoff Club Sweets
Scoff Club Sweets


Scoff Club Sweets
Scoff Club Sweets


Scoff Club Sweets
Scoff Club Sweets


Scoff Club Sweets
Scoff Club Sweets



Ok Lovelies, I really have to go now, cannot wait to gorge on these treats!

If you would love to get your hands on one of these treat boxes, please visit Scoff-club-sweets

Peace and Love X


** sample Scoff Club box of sweets was sent to me for review purposes.
Views and opinions expressed are entirely mine**



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